Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes' population expanded in the decade leading up to the most recent census. At the same time there were changes in ethnicity, housing tenure and religion.

The population reached nearly quarter of a million

Between the last two censuses, the population of Milton Keynes increased by 20%, from about 207,000 to 249,000.

The addition of almost 42,000 people means this area's population was the fastest-growing in the South East and increased faster than the rate of growth across England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Milton Keynes was home to, on average, 5.8 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was higher than the average across the South East

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the South East, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Milton Keynes

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Milton Keynes increased by one year, from 34 to 35 years.

This suburban area had a lower average age than the South East and remained somewhat younger than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The fall in age was because of an increase of just over 8,400 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years.

About 9.0% of people in Milton Keynes are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, South East and Milton Keynes by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Milton Keynes

The percentage of Milton Keynes residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 2.6% to 3.1% between the last two censuses.

The percentage who reported being limited a little in their day-to-day activities remained close to 5.8%, while the percentage of Milton Keynes residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 92% to 91%.

The proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 2.5% in 2001 to 3.2% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 3.1% to 3.8%.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability was lower than across the South East

Percentage of usual residents that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

Ethnicity in Milton Keynes

The number of people in Milton Keynes from the White ethnic groups decreased from just under 190,000 in 2001 to just under 200,000 in 2011. However, as a percentage of the total population, this represented a decrease from 91% to 80%.

The percentage decreased by more than the average across the South East (from 95% to 91%) and the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Milton Keynes from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from about 9,400 in 2001 to just under 23,000 in 2011 (from 4.5% to 9.2%). The number of residents from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups increased from just under 5,000 to just over 17,000 (from 2.4% to 6.9%).

Just over 8,200 people (1.8%) said they were from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed), up from about 3,700 in 2001 (3.3%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in Milton Keynes decreased by 11 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, South East and Milton Keynes by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of privately rented homes increased in Milton Keynes at a faster rate than in Central Bedfordshire (the local authority area that shares the largest boundary with Milton Keynes).

In Milton Keynes, the proportion of private renting increased from 7.5% in 2001 to 17% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion in nearby Central Bedfordshire increased from 6.9% to 12%.

Across the South East, the share of privately rented homes increased from 10% to 16%.

The rate of social housing in Milton Keynes fell from 19% to 18%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 67% to 58%.

Private renting in Milton Keynes increased by 9.8 percentage points

Percentage of households in Milton Keynes, the South East and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Religion in Milton Keynes

The number of people in Milton Keynes that described themselves as having no religion increased from just under 45,000 in 2001 to about 78,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 22% to 31% of the local population.

The percentage increased by less than the average across the South East (from 17% to 28%), but at a similar rate to the average across England (from 15% to 25%).

The number of people in Milton Keynes that described themselves as Christian decreased from just under 140,000 in 2001 to about 130,000 in 2011 (from 66% to 53%). The number of people who did not disclose their religious affiliation remained close to 16,000 (6.6%)

About 12,000 people (2.3%) said they were Muslim, up from about 4,800 in 2001 (4.8%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population without a religion in Milton Keynes increased by 9.8 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, South East and Milton Keynes by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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